45 Warm Appetizers for Cold-Weather Entertaining

Rich and melty, this hearty dip combines tomato's tang with the velvety creaminess of goat cheese. Serve it bubbly and hot from the oven with freshly toasted crostini.

Top warm and crunchy baguette slices with our sweet-meets-savory spread for a crowd-pleasing appetizer you can whip up in just minutes.

Keep ravenous Thanksgiving guests at bay with this warm and creamy starter that features the fresh flavors of crab, corn and three different cheeses.

Shrimp and grits are not only crazy delicious, they're also easier to make than you may think — especially when you use a muffin tin to create single-serve portions. Follow our recipe, below, to learn how to make them ahead, then heat up pre-party, for a crowd-pleasing small bite that's oh-so-satisfying.

Vegetarians (just omit the bacon) and meat lovers alike will fall for these satisfying little mouthfuls. Store-bought pie crusts keep prep time to a minimum.

The classic combination makes an ideal first bite. This is just enough of both soup and sandwich to get the party started.

These bite-sized balls of smoked, cheesy, herby goodness are the perfect appetizer for a dinner or cocktail party. Just be careful: They're so addictive that it's impossible to eat just one or two (or three)!

This ooey-gooey recipe looks impressive but it really couldn't be easier to make. Your family and guests won't be able to get enough of the warm, flavorful cheese topped with decadent caramel sauce and crunchy pecans.

Bubbly and hot, fresh from the oven, this dip packs in a lot of flavor and even includes a secret (and healthy) ingredient.

Comfort food has never tasted so good. Bake up a batch of from-scratch biscuits, then fill them with thinly sliced honey or country ham for a hearty bite to tide guests over till dinner is served.

Pulled pork gets a Cuban kick with these easy empanadas. Use leftover pulled pork or start from scratch for an irresistible handheld appetizer.

Why go out when you can whip up the pub favorite at home? Seasoned with hot sauce, cayenne pepper, horseradish and Worcestershire, this hot and spicy dip is guaranteed to warm up your guests on even the coldest of days.

Give beef skewers a Spanish-infused kick with a sauce made from chilies, spices and citrus juice.

These decadent, bite-sized shrimp toasts are crisp, super savory and bursting with flavor. Coupled with the sweet chile sauce, they're the perfect cocktail party appetizer.

The classic pigs in a blanket get a flaky upgrade with pie crust. Pairing great sausage with pie crust and poppy seeds takes this traditional hors d’oeuvre from mundane to magnificent.

Irresistible when served hot from the oven, this focaccia is a great light snack for guests waiting for dinner to begin. Pile any leftovers high with slices of turkey or ham for an unbelievably good after-Thanksgiving sandwich.

Spicy honey and day-old bread for the crostini (for the perfect crunch) make this savory mouthful your new easy appetizer go-to.

Ancho chile and chipotle peppers give fresh roasted cashews just the right amount of heat. Serve the nuts hot out of the oven for a real treat.

Using pre-made hash browns from the supermarket freezer section makes these oh-so-fancy-looking apps easy to whip up with just a few minutes of prep time.

With two types of chiles, these spicy steak mouthfuls are sure to warm up guests coming in from the cold. Cut down on prep time by making the tasty filling ingredients a day or two ahead of time, then stuffing mini taco shells right before guests arrive.

Soft and chewy, these yeasty pretzels are perfect for serving with one of our warm dip recipes or just pulling apart and munching on their own.

For a healthy light bite that'll fire up their tastebuds, try these spicy skewers that you can make ahead and refrigerate or whip up on the fly right before guests arrive.

Succulent braised pork belly on fresh, from-scratch buttermilk biscuits is sure to tempt guests. The biscuit's scaled-down size ensures everyone can enjoy this homey comfort food without ruining their appetite.

Fire up the slow cooker to whip up this cold-weather favorite that's always a crowd-pleaser. And, check out 9 more slow cooker recipes, below.

It almost doesn't seem possible that a perfectly ripe avocado could ever be improved upon, but these avocado fries prove it can be done.

If your cold-weather get-together includes gathering around the TV for a football game, then be sure to make these restaurant-style potato skins a star player in your appetizer lineup.

Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn., shares a Southern-style recipe for spicy pimento cheese. Serve chilled, straight from the fridge, or place in a casserole dish and heat in the oven till bubbly warm.

Only have an hour before your soiree? You can whip up these cheesy wonton bites and still have time to pour yourself a glass of wine before company arrives.

No fall or winter party is complete without the classic cheese straw. A savory combination of butter and cheese gets an added kick from cayenne pepper, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer or hearty snack.

Spanish for 'melted cheese,' queso fundido is also English for 'irresistibly delish bowl of bubbly awesomeness.' Try one of these super tasty dips at your next get-together to get your guests (happily) speaking in tongues.

Warm-and-gooey baked Brie always impresses, but its preparation couldn't be easier. It's the perfect starter to keep holiday guests satisfied while they wait for dinner to begin.

Using storebought ingredients, you can quickly whip up these flavorful little sliders to satisfy guests' hunger on game day, holiday or any day.

Just 10 basic ingredients are all you need to whip up these tasty little pockets of spicy, cheesy goodness.

Just four ingredients — mozzarella bocconcini, peppers, olive oil and basil — are all you need to pull together a guest-impressing first course in a flash.

These Greek-inspired meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated or even served at room temperature, making them perfect for impromptu get-togethers.

Fire up the indoor (or outdoor) grill and get the party started with these hearty bites that'll have all the sausage-lovers on your guest list raving.

Healthy and hearty, this savory dip can be served cold or at room temp and gets its heat courtesy of crushed red pepper flakes. Add even more fire with diced jalapenos or really kick it up with spicy serranos.

Short on pre-party prep time? Try this shortcut recipe, below, to turn a storebought pie crust into a delicious flaky, cheesy light bite.

Delight all the carnivores on your guest list and grill or bake this lightened-up version of traditionally fried wings for a savory kickoff to your get-together.

Always a party favorite, cheese fondue can be made hours before serving. Serve with crunchy veggies and crusty bread.

Tempt health-conscious guests with these sushi-inspired appetizers that get their heat from a healthy topping of wasabi or hot sauce.

Top flour tortillas with creamy goat cheese and guava jam for a crowd-pleasing starter that can be made in minutes.

Food Network's Jeff Mauro of The Sandwich King shares this endlessly munchable spicy-meets-sweet recipe that's great as both a light snack before a big holiday meal and for filling cellophane favor bags that guests can enjoy later. Make several batches a day or two before your get-together then store the popcorn in an airtight container.

Fire up guests' appetites with shot glasses filled with this spicy vegetarian soup.